Highlanders hold off Patriots

Wednesday

Jan 30, 2008 at 6:00 AM

By Craig Holt CORRESPONDENT

With his team leading by 21 points in the second quarter of last night’s game with Inter-High rival Burncoat, Doherty coach Jim Reynolds reminded his players that the contest was far from over. He was right.

Though the Highlanders dominated at both ends for three quarters, the Patriots refused to wilt, cutting a 30-point third-quarter Doherty advantage to five in the game’s final minute. However, the deficit proved to be too much, and the Highlanders prevailed, 62-57, before a loud gathering at Burncoat’s gym.

“I think the two coaches probably aged in different ways in this game, but I was extremely pleased with the way we played in the first half,” Reynolds said.

“The girls played well at both ends of the court and didn’t make many mistakes. But we still have to put four quarters together. We can’t let up in games. This was typical Doherty-Burncoat. Both teams battled.”

Doherty improved to 11-2 and 6-0 in the Inter-High, which it leads.

The Patriots slipped to 8-6, 1-2 in the league. The Highlanders are 2-1 versus Burncoat this season.

Doherty was paced throughout by senior center Jewel White, who netted a game-high 30 points and now needs just six points to reach 1,000 for her career. White exploded for 24 points in the first half, including 18 in the first quarter, and was relentless off the backboards, particularly the offensive glass.

Jewel White scored 14 quick points on an assortment of inside moves to help the Highlanders grab a 25-4 lead with two minutes to go in the first quarter.

Doherty held a 29-10 lead at the end of the period and expanded that advantage to 45-22 by the break.

A long Powell 3-pointer jump-started a Doherty 9-2 run to start the third quarter and give the visitors their largest lead, 54-24.

The Highlanders were outscored, 24-4, in the fourth quarter after leading, 58-33, through three quarters.

Doherty converted one field goal and two free throws in the final quarter. Only three players scored for the Patriots, who forced numerous turnovers. Ashton canned three jumpers and four free throws, while Cropper hit four buckets from in close. Priscilla Dodoo sank two baskets and two free throws.

“They could have quit and rolled over, but they didn’t, and they came back,” Burncoat coach Denis O’Connell said. “The girls worked hard and were steady on the defensive end. They made a couple of steals and did the basic stuff. They also hit some good shots. These girls believe in each other, and I’m proud of them. We just didn’t come out strong in this game.”